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The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo
A delicious historical romance inspired by the true story of Princess Caraboo.
Cassandra Worrell is beautiful, rich and very, very bored. Trapped in her parents stately home, she dreams of escape. Life suddenly becomes much more interesting with the appearance of a beautiful, disorientated young woman, who speaks a mysterious language... Cassandra is convinced she's found a princess from a far away land. Could the princess hold the key to the adventure she's been seeking? Or might the escape she desires be found in the arms of the wholly inappropriate but utterly delectable local boy, Will Jenkins?
Cassandra Worrell is beautiful, rich and very, very bored. Trapped in her parents stately home, she dreams of escape. Life suddenly becomes much more interesting with the appearance of a beautiful, disorientated young woman, who speaks a mysterious language... Cassandra is convinced she's found a princess from a far away land. Could the princess hold the key to the adventure she's been seeking? Or might the escape she desires be found in the arms of the wholly inappropriate but utterly delectable local boy, Will Jenkins?
288 pages, Paperback
First published July 2, 2015
8 people are currently reading
1649 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Johnson
119 books64 followersCatherine Johnson is a British author and screenwriter known for her young adult fiction and work in film, television and radio. Born in London to a Jamaican father and Welsh mother, she studied film at St Martin's School of Art before publishing her debut novel, The Last Welsh Summer (1993). She has since written around 20 novels, including works on Arctic explorer Matthew Henson, and won the 2019 Little Rebels Award for Freedom. Her historical novel Sawbones (2013) earned multiple shortlistings and the Young Quills Award. Johnson co-wrote the screenplay for Bullet Boy (2004) with Saul Dibb, and has served as Royal Literary Fund Fellow, Writer in Residence at Holloway Prison, and judge for the Jhalak Prize. In 2019, she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 51 reviews
February 13, 2022
This whole book is the most wonderful side-eye to ignorant white people. I love it.
Princess Caraboo shuns her life of trauma and servitude along with her old name Mary Wilcox, and is discovered wandering in a village near Bristol, clearly distressed. Rescued and taken to a pub, Caraboo is mistaken for a member of foreign royalty, based on her manners, her language and her exoticism. Taken by the effusive and shallow Cassandra to Knole Park to be studied by her mother Lady Worrall, Caraboo continues to be the warrior princess they all presume her to be… whilst also understanding every word she says.
Meanwhile, Cassandra’s equally shallow but also terrible brother Fred returns to Knole, determined to out Caraboo as a fraud.
This book is a story about white ignorance, exoticism, racism, and wealth privilege, alongside the profound effects trauma can have on an individual (content warnings for sexual assault)
Best bit? It’s a true story.
Catherine Johnson’s prose is witty and beautiful, and I was absolutely drawn in by this story – as well as a desire to punch Fred squarely in the mouth for his treatment of sex workers in the second chapter.
What a winner to start off the British Books Challenge with!
Princess Caraboo shuns her life of trauma and servitude along with her old name Mary Wilcox, and is discovered wandering in a village near Bristol, clearly distressed. Rescued and taken to a pub, Caraboo is mistaken for a member of foreign royalty, based on her manners, her language and her exoticism. Taken by the effusive and shallow Cassandra to Knole Park to be studied by her mother Lady Worrall, Caraboo continues to be the warrior princess they all presume her to be… whilst also understanding every word she says.
Meanwhile, Cassandra’s equally shallow but also terrible brother Fred returns to Knole, determined to out Caraboo as a fraud.
This book is a story about white ignorance, exoticism, racism, and wealth privilege, alongside the profound effects trauma can have on an individual (content warnings for sexual assault)
Best bit? It’s a true story.
Catherine Johnson’s prose is witty and beautiful, and I was absolutely drawn in by this story – as well as a desire to punch Fred squarely in the mouth for his treatment of sex workers in the second chapter.
What a winner to start off the British Books Challenge with!
February 7, 2017
This story is a solidly written historical romance about the mysterious 'Princess Caraboo' and the respectful family which takes the princess in. It's a nice read, although the ending is a bit 'too good to be truth' for me (). I also like the author included a note about the historical Princess Caraboo at the back of the book.
January 1, 2016
Surely, they are some of us out there who have experience it!
The overwhelming feeling born out of a situation so distressing, that you would wish the earth to open up and swallow you whole… and you can just simply disappear…
From those of us who have encountered very amusing and embarrassing moments who wish it to happen, to those who unfortunately have been afflicted with pain, a pain so unbearable that they might just literally take that step.
Well, Mary Willcocks did!
Catherine Johnson’s piece is the retelling of Mary Willcocks’s (aka Princess Caraboo) true story. Yes, this lady was real and was exposed as one of the most successful imposters of her time. It is not hard to imagine that her story would have fascinated many and here Catherine gives us the opportunity to take a peek at her life…and maybe make a better one?!
Well, let’s see…
Oh, how this Mary suffered…This Mary suffered so immensely that she just wanted it all to stop. While many would be driven to suicide, this Mary however chose another way. One minute this Mary was here, but the next, this Mary was gone…In the blink of an eye, the decision was made and Lady Caraboo was on. Complete with the whole package! The exotic but rich clothing, the head dress, fashioned into a style that only foreign royals from a distant empire could wear. Throw in a made up language that only you…and a few dubious characters can understand, and a few unknown religious rituals and Voila! You have yourself a real princess.
The lie was so much better than the reality that she successfully manipulated a wealthy family into “saving” her. Although their affection for her was great, they displayed her for all who cared to see, as a precious painting, an expensive piece simply added to their collection for a time.
So, was the lie worth it?
What I really liked about this version of Lady Caraboo, keeping in mind that I know very little of the real one, is that her transformation was necessary for her to survive! There was no intent to deceive just a very strong will to live. It did come with its consequences though, from the disappointment and pain caused to the family who took her in to unscrupulous con artists who jumped on the bandwagon trapping her further into her lie.
Ironically, only the truth could set her free.
I like to think, that in the end Mary simply needed a break, that she needed time to gather her strength and that Lady Caraboo gave her the time she needed until she was ready to resurface again and live the life she was meant to…Well anyway, that’s my version…
What’s yours?
Thanking Corgi Children Publishing for providing me with a copy of this title.
The overwhelming feeling born out of a situation so distressing, that you would wish the earth to open up and swallow you whole… and you can just simply disappear…
From those of us who have encountered very amusing and embarrassing moments who wish it to happen, to those who unfortunately have been afflicted with pain, a pain so unbearable that they might just literally take that step.
Well, Mary Willcocks did!
Catherine Johnson’s piece is the retelling of Mary Willcocks’s (aka Princess Caraboo) true story. Yes, this lady was real and was exposed as one of the most successful imposters of her time. It is not hard to imagine that her story would have fascinated many and here Catherine gives us the opportunity to take a peek at her life…and maybe make a better one?!
Well, let’s see…
Oh, how this Mary suffered…This Mary suffered so immensely that she just wanted it all to stop. While many would be driven to suicide, this Mary however chose another way. One minute this Mary was here, but the next, this Mary was gone…In the blink of an eye, the decision was made and Lady Caraboo was on. Complete with the whole package! The exotic but rich clothing, the head dress, fashioned into a style that only foreign royals from a distant empire could wear. Throw in a made up language that only you…and a few dubious characters can understand, and a few unknown religious rituals and Voila! You have yourself a real princess.
The lie was so much better than the reality that she successfully manipulated a wealthy family into “saving” her. Although their affection for her was great, they displayed her for all who cared to see, as a precious painting, an expensive piece simply added to their collection for a time.
So, was the lie worth it?
What I really liked about this version of Lady Caraboo, keeping in mind that I know very little of the real one, is that her transformation was necessary for her to survive! There was no intent to deceive just a very strong will to live. It did come with its consequences though, from the disappointment and pain caused to the family who took her in to unscrupulous con artists who jumped on the bandwagon trapping her further into her lie.
Ironically, only the truth could set her free.
I like to think, that in the end Mary simply needed a break, that she needed time to gather her strength and that Lady Caraboo gave her the time she needed until she was ready to resurface again and live the life she was meant to…Well anyway, that’s my version…
What’s yours?
Thanking Corgi Children Publishing for providing me with a copy of this title.
June 25, 2015
I'd really been looking forward to reading The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo by Catherine Johnson for awhile now. So I was very happy to get a copy sent to me and jumped in straight away.
And I really liked this story. It's based on a true story of an actual young woman called Mary Willcox who managed to convince a wealthy family that she was a princess from the South Seas and that makes this story even more fascinating to me. I know that Catherine Johnson did change some aspects of the story but I still think the original basis of what happened to Mary Willcox to be incredibly interesting. As is this book! I really didn't know what was going to happen throughout the story and I was really intrigued from the moment I started reading.
The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo has sort of a harrowing beginning. As we see poor Mary Willcox in bad shape and she is further attacked by some men and in that moment she decides that things will be different from now on. And that's what happens.
She pretends to be this different person, this princess from Java. And it becomes quite an elaborate lie that is spun as Caraboo manages to convince this local wealthy family, the Worralls, that she is in fact royalty and they take her in for several months. An entire language is created as well as a religion and a style of dress and mannerisms that Caraboo creates herself.
I really liked the character of Caraboo that Mary Willcox pretends that she is. Caraboo becomes this fierce warrior princess who hunts and climbs and does what she likes. It really felt like she had decided not to be held back by her gender or her (lack of) wealth and just decided to become this person she and society had never allowed her to become until one day when she just makes that decision and a transformation happens.
As well as being incredibly interested and invested in Caraboo's character and how she gets on, I was also really fascinated to see the changes within this family that Caraboo is staying with and the different reactions they all have to Caraboo's intrusion into their lives. There is Mrs Worrall, who seems to relish the attention as well as the fact that she is at the centre of a scientific investigation and has scientists of the day from phrenologists to electricity experts, coming into her house and that she is able to participate in something larger than her in her every day life.
And then there are the Worrall children: flighty Cassandra and skeptical Fred who in turns befriend and question Caraboo's sincerity and actions. I loved the juxtaposition of Cassandra's love affair with the reluctant growing of feeling that happens for Caraboo.
I thought Lady Caraboo's story was an incredibly fascinating story. It felt like a story of choices and love and about being the person who most want to be. I loved this glimpse into a POC historical figure and time period and I was swept away by the circumstances of Caraboo's life. Really enjoyed this one!
And I really liked this story. It's based on a true story of an actual young woman called Mary Willcox who managed to convince a wealthy family that she was a princess from the South Seas and that makes this story even more fascinating to me. I know that Catherine Johnson did change some aspects of the story but I still think the original basis of what happened to Mary Willcox to be incredibly interesting. As is this book! I really didn't know what was going to happen throughout the story and I was really intrigued from the moment I started reading.
The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo has sort of a harrowing beginning. As we see poor Mary Willcox in bad shape and she is further attacked by some men and in that moment she decides that things will be different from now on. And that's what happens.
She pretends to be this different person, this princess from Java. And it becomes quite an elaborate lie that is spun as Caraboo manages to convince this local wealthy family, the Worralls, that she is in fact royalty and they take her in for several months. An entire language is created as well as a religion and a style of dress and mannerisms that Caraboo creates herself.
I really liked the character of Caraboo that Mary Willcox pretends that she is. Caraboo becomes this fierce warrior princess who hunts and climbs and does what she likes. It really felt like she had decided not to be held back by her gender or her (lack of) wealth and just decided to become this person she and society had never allowed her to become until one day when she just makes that decision and a transformation happens.
As well as being incredibly interested and invested in Caraboo's character and how she gets on, I was also really fascinated to see the changes within this family that Caraboo is staying with and the different reactions they all have to Caraboo's intrusion into their lives. There is Mrs Worrall, who seems to relish the attention as well as the fact that she is at the centre of a scientific investigation and has scientists of the day from phrenologists to electricity experts, coming into her house and that she is able to participate in something larger than her in her every day life.
And then there are the Worrall children: flighty Cassandra and skeptical Fred who in turns befriend and question Caraboo's sincerity and actions. I loved the juxtaposition of Cassandra's love affair with the reluctant growing of feeling that happens for Caraboo.
I thought Lady Caraboo's story was an incredibly fascinating story. It felt like a story of choices and love and about being the person who most want to be. I loved this glimpse into a POC historical figure and time period and I was swept away by the circumstances of Caraboo's life. Really enjoyed this one!
September 4, 2016
Rich, vivid storytelling; The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo is written with such power and verve that it made me greedy. I wanted more. Much more. Johnson's novel is based on a real tale of a girl who was not herself. She adopted personas and identities and stories, really, in order to be somebody different and to make her life a little easier. This time, the girl chooses her new life after a dark and sharply horrific event makes her want to leave the last one behind. The blink of an eye, and the girl is the Lady Caraboo, a mysterious figure from a far away land. And with this new identity comes problems of its very own....
I've a lot of love for Johnson's work, though I've not read nearly enough. (sidebar: Brave New Girl is a gorgeously rooted story of Hackney and the Olympics and one I do recommend most heartily). The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo has been on my to read list for a while, and it doesn't disappoint. It opens with a twisty, fragmentary, glass-sharp sequence of scenes (persevere with this opening because it pays off) before the story settles into something quite remarkable.
It's an intensely filmic story. If ever a story begged for visual adaptation, The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo does. Some of the sequences are wonderful and awful, and much of their impact comes from Johnson's clean, genuine prose. She's not afraid of giving the raw edge of life here, the shadow beneath the pretense, and some of the scenes are much better for it. Do note though, that there's a scene at the start which might prove problematic for the younger scale of young adult; yet do equally note that this scene is intensely relevant for the narrative as it stands. As ever, read, and then make your call. This book is powerful and it tells a story that needs to be told.
I loved this. Johnson has this great gift of story and to be frank, one of the reasons that this is not a full five star rave is that I wanted more. Books like this make me so greedy.
I've a lot of love for Johnson's work, though I've not read nearly enough. (sidebar: Brave New Girl is a gorgeously rooted story of Hackney and the Olympics and one I do recommend most heartily). The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo has been on my to read list for a while, and it doesn't disappoint. It opens with a twisty, fragmentary, glass-sharp sequence of scenes (persevere with this opening because it pays off) before the story settles into something quite remarkable.
It's an intensely filmic story. If ever a story begged for visual adaptation, The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo does. Some of the sequences are wonderful and awful, and much of their impact comes from Johnson's clean, genuine prose. She's not afraid of giving the raw edge of life here, the shadow beneath the pretense, and some of the scenes are much better for it. Do note though, that there's a scene at the start which might prove problematic for the younger scale of young adult; yet do equally note that this scene is intensely relevant for the narrative as it stands. As ever, read, and then make your call. This book is powerful and it tells a story that needs to be told.
I loved this. Johnson has this great gift of story and to be frank, one of the reasons that this is not a full five star rave is that I wanted more. Books like this make me so greedy.
June 17, 2015
I really enjoyed this unique novel based on a true story. The author's note at the back is particularly interesting because is sheds more light on the amazing Lady Caraboo.
The characters are charismatic, quirky and fully realised and the writing is so secure, confident and sound in tone and content that I really was transported back in time.
Beautiful writing, engaging characters and striking story which is all the more interesting because it really happened.
The characters are charismatic, quirky and fully realised and the writing is so secure, confident and sound in tone and content that I really was transported back in time.
Beautiful writing, engaging characters and striking story which is all the more interesting because it really happened.
November 1, 2015
This book was originally reviewed on www.talesofyesterday.co.uk
I have really really wanted to read some historical fiction this year and as of yet I had not got around to it so when I was offered the chance to read this book I jumped and waved and shouted me me me and got very excited indeed! I have heard so many good things about Catherine Johnson's books that I was intrigued and this story seemed really interesting and curious....and since reading it I have to say I loved it!
The Curious Tale Of The Lady Caraboo had me hooked right from the beginning. It is set in the year 1819 and tells the tale of a wealthy family, the Worralls, who find a lady from a foreign land, Mary Willcox, in distress and decide to take her into their home, help her and want to find out more about her. She tells them her name is Caraboo and they come to the conclusion that she is a Princess! Caraboo has good intentions to only stay a couple of days, but as the Worralls become more curious about this mystery lady who speaks a different language and wears different clothes Caraboo becomes more drawn into their world and their family.
From the offset this book had me captivated! The pages basically turned themselves as I was transported back into the past, loved the story and loved all of the characters. The writing just flowed on each page and I feel that is a credit to Catherine's writing style completely. It never let me go until I finished the book!
I enjoyed all of the characters in the book. The wealthy family of the Worralls were all so unique in their own ways and it really felt like Caraboo touched the heart of each and everyone of them. Cassandra, who made me roll my eyes a few times I have to admit, was both adorable and frustrating, but it completely fit her character as the daughter of the rich family. Nothing really phased her and she seemed to go with the flow, but could be very selfish when it comes to love and dresses! I still liked her though and her acceptance and caring of Caraboo was so lovely to read. Okay maybe I have to admit I was lusting over her love interest Will, the innkeepers son, throughout most of the book as he was rather.....lets say distracting *swoons* You would be good enough for me any day Will! Then you have Fred, Cassandra's brother who whilst I couldn't stand him at the start of the book with his views about women and how he treated them (the 1800's were obviously a time when rules were deemed very different for men and women on how to behave), but grew on me completely throughout the book ...stick with him though he's definately worth it!
I think one of my favourite characters was Mrs Worrall. She is completely intrigued by Caraboo which in a way is so lovely to read and see as she wants to understand this lady who is from a different way of life and wants to know all about her and where she has come from although, some of her methods were a little scary to be honest, but in the 1800 these were obviously standard practise including using electric thearpy and the shapes of peoples heads etc. I felt she was quite proud of Caraboo and even comissioned her portrait to be painted by an artist, but upon reflection maybe saw her as a little experment maybe, but she did have a caring side towards Caraboo.
No book would be complete without a bad guy and poor Caraboo suffers at the hands of a villian quite partial to a drink or two.
Caraboo was just so lovely. I loved her so much. She seized the opportunity of being Caraboo rather than Mary Willcox and became very much a free spirit. I loved the way she spent time on the roof of the house that became her spot and I laughed out loud at one point when she jumps through a window to make an entrance when she's looking for Cassandra. Her intentions are good and she seemed to have a good heart and care about the Worrall family. I could really get the sense of Caraboo's feelings and how her path in life had not been an easy one. She melted my heart a little I have to admit.
I loved the relationship that develops between Caraboo and Fred it was so lovely to read. Fred is initially worried that Caraboo will tarnish the family name and has a feeling she is fooling the family and Caraboo initially, like me, dislikes Fred and often wants to push Fred off the roof and into horse manure which made me chuckle a lot. One of my favourite parts of the book was when Caraboo and Fred go hunting and experiencing the raw outdoors together. Whilst Caraboo seems natural with this, Fred most defiantely was not and I just loved the scene as some of the scenarios like Fred falling over into the ash had me chuckling.
Catherine writes a brilliant author note in the back of the book explaining some of the research she did whilst writing this book. You get a huge sense of the passion and intrigue Catherine had with this story and this curious tale and whilst she stuck to as many facts as possible throughout her story she provides the reader with some historical facts about Princess Caraboo giving reference to some books that are in fact mentioned here when I looked up the Princess Caraboo on google as like Catherine her story and history have intrigued me to do my own mini research.
I read this book super quick as I was that engrossed in the story. I loved every single page of it! I will be rushing out to but more of Catherine's books as if this is anything to go by what am I missing out on?! :-)
I highly recomend this book to everyone even if you have no interest in historical fiction. It is a tale of love and kindness and about a lady who is as curious as the books title suggests.
For more reviews and more please visit www.talesofyesterday.co.uk
I have really really wanted to read some historical fiction this year and as of yet I had not got around to it so when I was offered the chance to read this book I jumped and waved and shouted me me me and got very excited indeed! I have heard so many good things about Catherine Johnson's books that I was intrigued and this story seemed really interesting and curious....and since reading it I have to say I loved it!
The Curious Tale Of The Lady Caraboo had me hooked right from the beginning. It is set in the year 1819 and tells the tale of a wealthy family, the Worralls, who find a lady from a foreign land, Mary Willcox, in distress and decide to take her into their home, help her and want to find out more about her. She tells them her name is Caraboo and they come to the conclusion that she is a Princess! Caraboo has good intentions to only stay a couple of days, but as the Worralls become more curious about this mystery lady who speaks a different language and wears different clothes Caraboo becomes more drawn into their world and their family.
From the offset this book had me captivated! The pages basically turned themselves as I was transported back into the past, loved the story and loved all of the characters. The writing just flowed on each page and I feel that is a credit to Catherine's writing style completely. It never let me go until I finished the book!
I enjoyed all of the characters in the book. The wealthy family of the Worralls were all so unique in their own ways and it really felt like Caraboo touched the heart of each and everyone of them. Cassandra, who made me roll my eyes a few times I have to admit, was both adorable and frustrating, but it completely fit her character as the daughter of the rich family. Nothing really phased her and she seemed to go with the flow, but could be very selfish when it comes to love and dresses! I still liked her though and her acceptance and caring of Caraboo was so lovely to read. Okay maybe I have to admit I was lusting over her love interest Will, the innkeepers son, throughout most of the book as he was rather.....lets say distracting *swoons* You would be good enough for me any day Will! Then you have Fred, Cassandra's brother who whilst I couldn't stand him at the start of the book with his views about women and how he treated them (the 1800's were obviously a time when rules were deemed very different for men and women on how to behave), but grew on me completely throughout the book ...stick with him though he's definately worth it!
I think one of my favourite characters was Mrs Worrall. She is completely intrigued by Caraboo which in a way is so lovely to read and see as she wants to understand this lady who is from a different way of life and wants to know all about her and where she has come from although, some of her methods were a little scary to be honest, but in the 1800 these were obviously standard practise including using electric thearpy and the shapes of peoples heads etc. I felt she was quite proud of Caraboo and even comissioned her portrait to be painted by an artist, but upon reflection maybe saw her as a little experment maybe, but she did have a caring side towards Caraboo.
No book would be complete without a bad guy and poor Caraboo suffers at the hands of a villian quite partial to a drink or two.
Caraboo was just so lovely. I loved her so much. She seized the opportunity of being Caraboo rather than Mary Willcox and became very much a free spirit. I loved the way she spent time on the roof of the house that became her spot and I laughed out loud at one point when she jumps through a window to make an entrance when she's looking for Cassandra. Her intentions are good and she seemed to have a good heart and care about the Worrall family. I could really get the sense of Caraboo's feelings and how her path in life had not been an easy one. She melted my heart a little I have to admit.
I loved the relationship that develops between Caraboo and Fred it was so lovely to read. Fred is initially worried that Caraboo will tarnish the family name and has a feeling she is fooling the family and Caraboo initially, like me, dislikes Fred and often wants to push Fred off the roof and into horse manure which made me chuckle a lot. One of my favourite parts of the book was when Caraboo and Fred go hunting and experiencing the raw outdoors together. Whilst Caraboo seems natural with this, Fred most defiantely was not and I just loved the scene as some of the scenarios like Fred falling over into the ash had me chuckling.
Catherine writes a brilliant author note in the back of the book explaining some of the research she did whilst writing this book. You get a huge sense of the passion and intrigue Catherine had with this story and this curious tale and whilst she stuck to as many facts as possible throughout her story she provides the reader with some historical facts about Princess Caraboo giving reference to some books that are in fact mentioned here when I looked up the Princess Caraboo on google as like Catherine her story and history have intrigued me to do my own mini research.
I read this book super quick as I was that engrossed in the story. I loved every single page of it! I will be rushing out to but more of Catherine's books as if this is anything to go by what am I missing out on?! :-)
I highly recomend this book to everyone even if you have no interest in historical fiction. It is a tale of love and kindness and about a lady who is as curious as the books title suggests.
For more reviews and more please visit www.talesofyesterday.co.uk
August 4, 2015
This book is rich with beautiful language, vivid images and scenes, a strong sense of place and an abundance of interesting characters. It is based on the real life story of Mary Baker, nee Wilcocks, a real-life imposter who fooled people in England in the 1860s that she was really Princess Caraboo, an exotic young woman from a far away land. The book has fictional elements, and adds character and drama to make the story even more exciting and readable.
She makes England in the 1800s feel completely accessible and feel like home; her language is poetic and vivid. Often, when reading historical novels, I struggle to immerse myself into the story because the language creates almost a barrier between myself and the world I’m trying to delve into. This wasn’t the case at all with this book.
Because we know a little bit of Caraboo’s past, as a reader we can sympathise with her, we understand why she does what she does. Catherine Johnson has built a character in this book with two identities; both of whom we fall in love with. Her journey is fascinating, fast-paced, heart-wrenching and uncertain. She faces terrifying enemies and makes sweet and loving friends. But how will it all end? What will happen if they find out who she truly is?
This is an absolute treat of a novel. I genuinely raced through the book and came away from it having had a truly valuable reading experience. I urge you to try it.
She makes England in the 1800s feel completely accessible and feel like home; her language is poetic and vivid. Often, when reading historical novels, I struggle to immerse myself into the story because the language creates almost a barrier between myself and the world I’m trying to delve into. This wasn’t the case at all with this book.
Because we know a little bit of Caraboo’s past, as a reader we can sympathise with her, we understand why she does what she does. Catherine Johnson has built a character in this book with two identities; both of whom we fall in love with. Her journey is fascinating, fast-paced, heart-wrenching and uncertain. She faces terrifying enemies and makes sweet and loving friends. But how will it all end? What will happen if they find out who she truly is?
This is an absolute treat of a novel. I genuinely raced through the book and came away from it having had a truly valuable reading experience. I urge you to try it.
July 9, 2016
Not sure what to think of this book, I knew nothing of the "myth" I guess of Lady Caraboo, despite living in the UK the majority of my life. I originally thought maybe it had something to do with a WI character because sometimes the islands are referred to as "the caribbea" (and also racially ambiguous model on the cover) but it was still interesting. I've never really been particularly interested in that much historical fiction, but you can't help but feel for the girl so hurt and damaged she creates this persona to save herself from reality. Very current surprisingly, its relatable in the way that you create a digital persona... but suddenly everything gets out of hand.
May 20, 2016
'If she acted like a princess, then that is what they would all see.'
Mary Willcox is found unconscious on the Bristol road, just outside of Almondsbury, in May of 1819. Following the betrayal of the man she loves, the death of her son she was travelling from London to Exeter by foot. After a brutal attack by two men on the roadside, Mary decides she will no longer be herself: she will become the Princess Caraboo, a strong, independent, fearless member of a distant royal family. Speaking in gibberish, she feigns a lack of understanding, disappearing into herself and becoming Caraboo.
Cassandra Worrall, the daughter of the residents of Knole Park, 'the biggest and most important house in the district', is in the local inn when Caraboo is discovered - she insists upon taking her home, as her mother studies anthropology and she is certain she will be curious about the mysterious woman that has been found.
Cassandra's father and her brother Fred both disbelieve Caraboo instantly, certain she must be tricking them to get money, so her mother sends for famous seaman Captain Palmer and the phrenologist and electrical expert Professor Heyford. Heyford is unconvinced, but Palmer is also skilled in the art of deception: he pretends to talk to Caraboo in her own language, crafting an elaborate backstory to explain how she came to be in England.
After getting Caraboo's identity corroborated, Fred begins to have feelings for her: she's one of the only women who has ever seen him for who he is. But with Palmer threatening to expose Caraboo for the fraud she is, she knows she needs to get away from Knole Park as soon as she possibly can.
I had a lot of problems with this book.
I feel as though I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I hadn't recently read 'The Lie Tree' by Frances Hardinge, which is set fifty years later but it feels older; it has a genuine historical air around it. Something in the narrative of this book felt modern, so I was struck with a constant sense of disconnect.
Read the rest of my review here!
Mary Willcox is found unconscious on the Bristol road, just outside of Almondsbury, in May of 1819. Following the betrayal of the man she loves, the death of her son she was travelling from London to Exeter by foot. After a brutal attack by two men on the roadside, Mary decides she will no longer be herself: she will become the Princess Caraboo, a strong, independent, fearless member of a distant royal family. Speaking in gibberish, she feigns a lack of understanding, disappearing into herself and becoming Caraboo.
Cassandra Worrall, the daughter of the residents of Knole Park, 'the biggest and most important house in the district', is in the local inn when Caraboo is discovered - she insists upon taking her home, as her mother studies anthropology and she is certain she will be curious about the mysterious woman that has been found.
Cassandra's father and her brother Fred both disbelieve Caraboo instantly, certain she must be tricking them to get money, so her mother sends for famous seaman Captain Palmer and the phrenologist and electrical expert Professor Heyford. Heyford is unconvinced, but Palmer is also skilled in the art of deception: he pretends to talk to Caraboo in her own language, crafting an elaborate backstory to explain how she came to be in England.
After getting Caraboo's identity corroborated, Fred begins to have feelings for her: she's one of the only women who has ever seen him for who he is. But with Palmer threatening to expose Caraboo for the fraud she is, she knows she needs to get away from Knole Park as soon as she possibly can.
I had a lot of problems with this book.
I feel as though I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I hadn't recently read 'The Lie Tree' by Frances Hardinge, which is set fifty years later but it feels older; it has a genuine historical air around it. Something in the narrative of this book felt modern, so I was struck with a constant sense of disconnect.
Read the rest of my review here!
September 14, 2015
I think, of all the things I've read, this has been my favorite (to be fair this is the only fictional based on story I've read). This book has a little of everything--which is both a blessing and a curse. I wasn't quite sure why we needed the Cassandra/Will subplot, except maybe as a foil to Caraboo's adventures.
Johnson imagines Caraboo (Or Mary) as a young girl who's life was broken by heartbreak and betrayal, who takes up the Caraboo life not to con or bamboozle or steal, but because for her Caraboo is what she aspires to be.
Fierce, strong, unflinching and fearless. Caraboo swims and hunts and has a knife she dances with. She is everything a girl like Mary would want to be.
Johnson imagines Caraboo (Or Mary) as a young girl who's life was broken by heartbreak and betrayal, who takes up the Caraboo life not to con or bamboozle or steal, but because for her Caraboo is what she aspires to be.
Fierce, strong, unflinching and fearless. Caraboo swims and hunts and has a knife she dances with. She is everything a girl like Mary would want to be.
August 5, 2015
(Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!)
I found this book really interesting, all the more so when I read the author's note at the back concerning the real-life inspiration for Lady Caraboo. If you enjoy books about con artists or books based on true stories, then I think you'd enjoy this one. You really start to feel for Caraboo as the net tightens around her and her lies. I do think the ending was a bit "pat" but I'm willing to forgive that seeing as the rest of the story was so thoroughly engrossing.
I found this book really interesting, all the more so when I read the author's note at the back concerning the real-life inspiration for Lady Caraboo. If you enjoy books about con artists or books based on true stories, then I think you'd enjoy this one. You really start to feel for Caraboo as the net tightens around her and her lies. I do think the ending was a bit "pat" but I'm willing to forgive that seeing as the rest of the story was so thoroughly engrossing.
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December 1, 2015Very enjoyable historical novel - definitely recommend. Johnson has constructed a fascinating novel around the bones of a real case. Questions of identity, what is "real" when everyone is playing a role in society, drawn with real wit. Non-white individuals are pretty invisible in the mainstream history of the uk, including historical novels, and I love this attempt to redress & question this. Great stuff.
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July 24, 2015
to begin with this book was hard to understand and sort of all mixed up
was she really Caraboo or just an English girl
there was too much confusion for me to decipher through
i didn't like that
however it did clear up as it went on
so i began to enjoy the book more
so overall i liked it but found the beginning kind of confusing
was she really Caraboo or just an English girl
there was too much confusion for me to decipher through
i didn't like that
however it did clear up as it went on
so i began to enjoy the book more
so overall i liked it but found the beginning kind of confusing
September 3, 2016
Who is Princess Caraboo - genuine princess or poor girl who reinvents herself?
The effect of her arrival on a wealthy family in the 1820's takes this story forward.
Really nice historically based story.
Interesting for the way it describes society, the people have quite rigid constraints on their lives, and their expectations, whether from wealthy or poor backgrounds.
The effect of her arrival on a wealthy family in the 1820's takes this story forward.
Really nice historically based story.
Interesting for the way it describes society, the people have quite rigid constraints on their lives, and their expectations, whether from wealthy or poor backgrounds.
July 31, 2017
A unique tale based on a true story. Intriguing and unusual. It's so well written that despite a few annoying characters I found myself really invested in Caraboo's life.
July 10, 2017
well, going into this book I did not think it was a book I would typically read (got it from a secret Santa), and had little hope of reading all the way through. boy was I wrong! quite a good book, I must say....and a satisfactory ending as well. not a book I would keep in my collection (I'm very picky that way), but would definitely recommend it, and it is going in my little library tonight. :-)
March 3, 2018
Fascinating historical fiction, when I learned from the author's note at the end that it is based on a true story I was even more intrigued! Recommended for readers with an interest in the Regency era looking for something a bit different.
January 7, 2018
Fascinating and totally compelling, especially considering that it’s based on a true story.
March 13, 2022
Empowering, emotional, a rollercoaster of a true story. From start to finish I was more involved in this story than anything else I’ve ever read. There’s not a moment I didn’t have some random surge of emotion, and the way everything falls into place makes me feral soooo, go read it. Go read it now.
November 7, 2016
The story of Princess Caraboo was real, while Catherine Johnson’s retelling is a little different, it is fascinating that the woman who became Caraboo (Mary Willcox) existed and her story of fooling the upper class made headlines.
The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo is wonderfully written. Catherine Johnson provides a very engaging narration with interesting and descriptive characters. The most alive and interesting of course is Caraboo, who sheds her past and become someone else to survive. I never thought of Caraboo as someone who was taking advantage of the Worrell family but instead a person who needed a way out and they provided this. Caraboo’s deception becomes her truth, for she is this a strong princess warrior who dares to do the things she would never have done as Mary.
While Caraboo might be a creation, she is in many ways the truest person in the Worrell household and holds up a fascinating counterpoint to the family she’s staying with. Cassandra Worrell, who is both kind and self-absorbed. There’s Mrs Worrell who is thrilled at having some recognition for her scientific hobby (that’s parading Lady Caraboo around) and Fred (Cassandra’s brother) who is sceptic of Caraboo.
I enjoyed reading this book immensely. Not only because I loved Lady Caraboo but also because of how the writing pulled me into the story.
The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo is wonderfully written. Catherine Johnson provides a very engaging narration with interesting and descriptive characters. The most alive and interesting of course is Caraboo, who sheds her past and become someone else to survive. I never thought of Caraboo as someone who was taking advantage of the Worrell family but instead a person who needed a way out and they provided this. Caraboo’s deception becomes her truth, for she is this a strong princess warrior who dares to do the things she would never have done as Mary.
While Caraboo might be a creation, she is in many ways the truest person in the Worrell household and holds up a fascinating counterpoint to the family she’s staying with. Cassandra Worrell, who is both kind and self-absorbed. There’s Mrs Worrell who is thrilled at having some recognition for her scientific hobby (that’s parading Lady Caraboo around) and Fred (Cassandra’s brother) who is sceptic of Caraboo.
I enjoyed reading this book immensely. Not only because I loved Lady Caraboo but also because of how the writing pulled me into the story.
February 14, 2021
4.5 stars. I wasn't sure it would be my kind of read but it's very good. Really charming tale inspired by a true story. Some really vapid and obnoxious characters but Princess Caraboo is the star of this tale. Reminds me of My Fair Lady and The Little Princess in tone.
Story of a young poor destitute girl who after experiencing trauma (TW - sexual assault) decides to become someone else.
Fred and Edmund annoyed me so much but the former did have some redemption. Cassandra was nice but went the other wag.
I was entranced by Caraboo/Mary though.
Not sure why it wasn’t called Princess Caraboo - I do vaguely remember watching a film that has that name based on the same story.
Story of a young poor destitute girl who after experiencing trauma (TW - sexual assault) decides to become someone else.
Fred and Edmund annoyed me so much but the former did have some redemption. Cassandra was nice but went the other wag.
I was entranced by Caraboo/Mary though.
Not sure why it wasn’t called Princess Caraboo - I do vaguely remember watching a film that has that name based on the same story.
January 15, 2016
A beguiling tale about the stories we tell ourselves, with varying degrees of self awareness, to try and make our experience of the world feel better.
A shocking opening may be a stumbling point for some but I'd encourage readers to persevere and enter into the world this Regency period short novel, with a colourful cast of characters, plenty of passion one of the most intriguing Author's Notes I've read in a long time [phrased like this to avoid spoilers!]
A shocking opening may be a stumbling point for some but I'd encourage readers to persevere and enter into the world this Regency period short novel, with a colourful cast of characters, plenty of passion one of the most intriguing Author's Notes I've read in a long time [phrased like this to avoid spoilers!]
September 18, 2015
A well researched and written YA novel. It brings to life the true story of Mary Willcox Baker, aka Princess Caraboo. A young woman who refused to be bound to the circumstances and constraints of her birth. A girl who reinvents herself, and makes the world believe in princesses, and infinite possibilities, if only for a little while. A lovely story!!!
August 19, 2016
This has been one of my most highly anticipated TBRs for the past year and when I finally was able to get my hands on a copy, I was not disappointed! I loved the writing style and felt the depth of the characters, especially the title character, Caraboo. Overall, a really good read.
July 23, 2018
The story that this book was based on was certainly very interesting, but I felt that the book itself lacked development. There was very little world building, and I didn’t feel like the characters were well developed enough for me to be invested in. It was a good story, but it lacked depth to me.
June 26, 2015
3.5 stars. A unique and engaging read, with a lovely protagonist that I really connected with! Fred was the only other likeable character, otherwise the others kind of irritated me.
March 3, 2017
4.5 stars
May 30, 2021
The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo is a young-adult novel by Catherine Johnson that takes as its base the historical story of Princess Caraboo, and in a note at the back pays particular notice of John Wells’s biography Princess Caraboo. Having just read the biography itself, I was intrigued to see how an author could work a novel from it.
The inventions start immediately and brutally, with a harrowing depiction of a roadside rape, as two farmers force themselves on the poor Mary Wilcox. As she endures the experience her memory goes back to an also invented dead baby and the horrors of losing him. When it’s all over, she picks herself up and declares that she is no longer Mary Wilcox but Princess Caraboo and she will no longer have to live with the pain and indignities she has suffered.
It’s certainly a striking beginning and provides an interesting impetus for the creation of Caraboo, as a way of coping with trauma and shielding herself from her pain. Throughout the book, when we view the world from her perspective, it’s clear that being Caraboo helps her reclaim her agency and power. It’s an interesting take on the fascinating story of Caraboo, of why a cobbler’s daughter from Devon would decide to convince people that she’s the princess of a far-eastern spice isle. It also means that the book declares her fraud from the beginning, the story isn’t going to tease an ‘is-she, isn’t-she?’ but explore the fraud itself and her motivations behind it.
The book then goes to another point-of-view, the invented daughter of Mrs Worrell, Cassandra. Again, I was a little unsure of why invent a daughter for Mrs Worrell when her lack (and desire) for a daughter, after her own had died, seemed to be a big reason for her falling for Caraboo so quickly. Anyway, in this book there is a daughter and she wants more from life. Particularly, she wants the pleasure of being the wife of Edmund Gresham, her brother’s rich friend. Her role in the book is to serve as a friend of Caraboo and to have a sub-plot about her choosing the hot-hunky but poor son of the inn, or the cold-dashing and rich Gresham. I suppose all YA must have a love-triangle. It’s through hunky that she meets Caraboo and takes her back to Knole House.
The (real) Worrell son is currently in London being absolutely foul to a prostitute who’s been led to believe he loves her, as he leaves she shouts that he can’t even understand real love as he’s only ever paid for it. Will the selfish son learn love? Will it be with the strange and mysterious Caraboo? Will there be a peculiarly a-historical and not particularly realistic in-universe happy ending?
While at Knole House, Caraboo is tested on by a quack intellectual who is not Wilkinson. He even uses electro-shock on her, burning her in the process. I can’t really understand why that scene existed, except to add another bit of drama and nastiness. There is also Captain Palmer, who claims he has been to Caraboo’s fictional island of Javasu and can speak the language. He was a real figure, a very minor figure in the biography but he becomes the villain in this, blackmailing her into possibly going off with him round fairs and threatening her with rape.
And here’s my problem with the book - while it’s an engaging novel in itself, the ways the author deviates from the historical truth hint at something ugly. She’s aged down to 17, she now has mixed race parentage and skin (so other characters can comment on it) she is at constant threat of rape as well as being found out. The book started with an invented rape and a fictional dead baby. If anything, it didn’t feel that the true events were being shaped to fit a narrative better, but that the elements added were done so to manipulate the reader. I don’t like to read a rape scene, nor did I need a scene of her hair burning because of a faulty electro-shock machine, nor did I need memories of dead babies.. like the the invention of Cassandra and her love-triangle, or the happy ending, these all seemed like they existed to pull at my emotions and force me to remain engaged with a story that I feel could stand on its own. On reflection, I’ve even taken a star away as I find it rather distasteful.
The inventions start immediately and brutally, with a harrowing depiction of a roadside rape, as two farmers force themselves on the poor Mary Wilcox. As she endures the experience her memory goes back to an also invented dead baby and the horrors of losing him. When it’s all over, she picks herself up and declares that she is no longer Mary Wilcox but Princess Caraboo and she will no longer have to live with the pain and indignities she has suffered.
It’s certainly a striking beginning and provides an interesting impetus for the creation of Caraboo, as a way of coping with trauma and shielding herself from her pain. Throughout the book, when we view the world from her perspective, it’s clear that being Caraboo helps her reclaim her agency and power. It’s an interesting take on the fascinating story of Caraboo, of why a cobbler’s daughter from Devon would decide to convince people that she’s the princess of a far-eastern spice isle. It also means that the book declares her fraud from the beginning, the story isn’t going to tease an ‘is-she, isn’t-she?’ but explore the fraud itself and her motivations behind it.
The book then goes to another point-of-view, the invented daughter of Mrs Worrell, Cassandra. Again, I was a little unsure of why invent a daughter for Mrs Worrell when her lack (and desire) for a daughter, after her own had died, seemed to be a big reason for her falling for Caraboo so quickly. Anyway, in this book there is a daughter and she wants more from life. Particularly, she wants the pleasure of being the wife of Edmund Gresham, her brother’s rich friend. Her role in the book is to serve as a friend of Caraboo and to have a sub-plot about her choosing the hot-hunky but poor son of the inn, or the cold-dashing and rich Gresham. I suppose all YA must have a love-triangle. It’s through hunky that she meets Caraboo and takes her back to Knole House.
The (real) Worrell son is currently in London being absolutely foul to a prostitute who’s been led to believe he loves her, as he leaves she shouts that he can’t even understand real love as he’s only ever paid for it. Will the selfish son learn love? Will it be with the strange and mysterious Caraboo? Will there be a peculiarly a-historical and not particularly realistic in-universe happy ending?
While at Knole House, Caraboo is tested on by a quack intellectual who is not Wilkinson. He even uses electro-shock on her, burning her in the process. I can’t really understand why that scene existed, except to add another bit of drama and nastiness. There is also Captain Palmer, who claims he has been to Caraboo’s fictional island of Javasu and can speak the language. He was a real figure, a very minor figure in the biography but he becomes the villain in this, blackmailing her into possibly going off with him round fairs and threatening her with rape.
And here’s my problem with the book - while it’s an engaging novel in itself, the ways the author deviates from the historical truth hint at something ugly. She’s aged down to 17, she now has mixed race parentage and skin (so other characters can comment on it) she is at constant threat of rape as well as being found out. The book started with an invented rape and a fictional dead baby. If anything, it didn’t feel that the true events were being shaped to fit a narrative better, but that the elements added were done so to manipulate the reader. I don’t like to read a rape scene, nor did I need a scene of her hair burning because of a faulty electro-shock machine, nor did I need memories of dead babies.. like the the invention of Cassandra and her love-triangle, or the happy ending, these all seemed like they existed to pull at my emotions and force me to remain engaged with a story that I feel could stand on its own. On reflection, I’ve even taken a star away as I find it rather distasteful.
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